Effect of Transition Metal Ion-Exchanged into the Zeolite Y on Electrical Conductivity and Response of PEDOT-PSS/MY Composites toward SO2

This study aims to investigate and compare the effects of different divalent transition metal cations (M2+: Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) exchanged into the hydrated zeolite Y on the electrical conductivity and sensitivity response of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonic acid), PEDOT-PSS/MY composites, when exposed to sulfur dioxide. All composites show higher electrical sensitivity values and significantly longer response times than the pristine conductive polymer matrix. The results obtained can be attributed to the electronegativity of the transition metal cations exchanged into the zeolite Y micropores, which critically affects the adsorption properties of the zeolite Y, and which in turn influences the electrical sensitivity of the composites. The highest electrical conductivity response and sensitivity pertain to the PEDOT-PSS/MnY composite. All composites investigated show nearly reversible responses toward sulfur dioxide. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2013, 32, 21367; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21367